Local business redirecting people with disabilities away from main entrance to side door

By Sid Harris
December 5, 2021

I’m not someone who usually calls out businesses, but this one from day one has been ignored by the city and by the company in question.  When the Chick-fil-A on Pleasant Street was constructed, it was obligated to conform to all zoning, building codes, and ordinances of this city.

Methuen has one of the only ordinances that mandates all newly constructed properties providing goods and services to the public are required to have all accessible entrances include at a minimum, a PBDOS.  How do I know that?  I created and advocated for the ordinance, which was passed by the city council in 2009. It was the first of its kind in the Commonwealth.

Please read the ordinance. Automatic door ordinance #: 828

The company failed to comply and the city failed to enforce the ordinance. Instead of installing a PBDOS in the main accessible entrance, one was installed at the side entrance.

Now comes into play the discrimination factor.  On the doors of the main accessible entrance as well as on the parking signs, the business redirects people with disabilities away from the main entrance to a side entrance because that entrance has a PBDOS. This requires a longer walk to the side door and the ordering counter. The “back of the bus” theory doesn’t apply in our society, so by doing this Chick-fil-A is giving the impression that the main entrance is not accessible.

I contacted the city on this shortly after the building was constructed and many times since. The mayor says he has reached out to the company and they responded that they are in full compliance with the ADA and building code. The city appears to be satisfied with that answer and no further action has been taken. Once again the city fails to uphold the law by not enforcing the ordinance and the company is showing discriminatory behavior by redirecting people to another entrance. 

Note: Even if they were not required by city ordinance, it would seem that this business owner would recognize the value to the whole community of making it easier for everyone, not just those with qualifying disabilities, to access the main entrance of the business.  I’m just saying!!.